Yeah, but its got to go somewhere, right? I assume totalled cars are kept in the same local area, so if there is a salvage yard in ATL where it went, we can negotiate directly with the owner vs the broadcasts, buying new, etc.

 

You may be absolutely correct, but the only person that can find out for sure is going to be Mike.

Maybe send him a PM or something. I'm sure he'd help if he could.

 

Sounds like a plan. I'll let ya'll know by Friday. I haven't post (for a change) but have been following this thread. Headers for the GS 4s would be awesome!

 

Well, I have located a set here in the Houston AREA... I say area because these are nearly an hour drive each way for me. Anyway, they are on a 98 LS400 engine (hole in block) and the asking price is $150. A few of the GP guys said they would pitch in (HUGE THANKS GUYS) and when I get a few bucks in the ol PayPal account I will drive out and pick these up. Maybe there is a cheaper option somewhere but something is better than nothing.

Once I get them I will get some additional measurements and pictures before sending them off to Phoenix. With luck, we will have something in prototype form within a month. If someone FINDs some GS or SC manifolds those would be nice to have for comparision. I honestly expect the head and catalyst flanges will be the same for all three models so my plan is to take clearance measurements of my car and find a GS and SC for the same measurements. BTW, measuring a part like this in a car is NOT easy or accurate but should hopefully confirm my above statement.

Man... this project is a bunch of work and it is still only mental

 

You've got Paypal.

What are GP guys anyway?

 

maybe possible to charge a little more to compensate for the money people are paying now??

 

I wanna help out too. You got some paypal as well from me.

aloha
HI98GS

 

I have PM'd JBrady

Altstadt

 

Small $ paypal sent. Hope it helps.

 

You guys that are chipping in...

Big THANKS

I will be picking up the manifolds Fri or Sat and will take pics and measurements before shipping along with a set of pre98 SC400 manifolds that were donated by David Phan at Lextreme (thanks David). Some of you guys are still trying to find a set from a GS400 and that would be cool. Keep in mind that the craftsman still has to invest R&D time even to jig up the stock parts. I have him somewhat committed but he acknowledged there would be a big drop out of participants if the installation proves too difficult for most.

So, yes, I will get anyone a discount on the headers equal to their donation but it is possible that he may request an actual deposit after viewing an actual GS400 (hasn't happened yet, just communicating what we've been talking about) Any deposit request would dismiss any pre-committed people from this purchase but if this is the route it goes we will need enough participation to get parts made.

At this point I am going to get the manifolds, send them off, get a prototype built, find a car to try them on (hint hint, one of the participants with good wrenching skills and a GS400) Providing this works we hope to get some performance data back.

Bottom line, I do NOT want anyone misled or disappointed regardless of how this project ends up. I am actually re-thinking my adversion to pulling the engine as the job is nearly half done by anyone doing a torque converter install (tranny and exhaust are off). But, if it is not necessary I will report that as well. All I know is we NEED these manifolds BADLY.

 

Look like the 430 are out of luck at this point I wish I can find some manifold for the 430, somewhere, somehow??. Anyway, this is a great project with a lot of hard work from jbrady..
I check on the cylinder head part# for the 400 and 430, they're not the same #.

 

It would be helpful and constructive at this point to post an email address for the Paypal payment unless I am completely missing it. Also, how much collected and how much more is needed should be posted as well to help out others in making their decision on how much to send. Does not mean to post what everyone is sending in, just what is in the kitty-that's all. I will send some money once that is posted or PM'd to me.
thank you
Lee

 

Not so fast...

That does NOT mean that these will not fit. That only means that some change was made to the heads to necessitate a part number change. I still think the catalysts are going to be in the same basic location and the exhaust flange is going to be the same. In fact, I will be able to match up the early style manifolds (92-97 SC400) with the 98-00 LS400 manifolds I am picking up. We will also match up the flanges for the Tundra 470 engine. Really, the main things are the head flange, catalyst flange, catalyst location to the engine and clearances between the tubes and underhood components. Making shorty style headers dramatically increases the probability of a near universal fit. It is possible that a custom Y pipe will be needed to connect the catalyst outlets to the cat back exhaust but REALLY that is something worth changing anyway.

Do not worry... yet...

 

Lee, nice suggestion but I really do not want to post an open invitation for donations in this thread. I sent a group email to everyone I have listed as committed. Donations can be made to my return email on that email. Anyone that did not receive the email who thinks they should have... please PM me.

As it stands right now I have enough to get the set of manifolds I found locally. It would be great to also have a set for the GS400 as there is apparently MINOR differences.(maybe no real differences at all but would be nice to compare) but seeing as nobody can FIND a set... I will go ahead with these. Once purchased, I do not see buying one set for all the cars (GS400, SC400, all the 430s) That would be 4 different sets.

I said that I expect to get any donations applied to the final purchase. I haven't confirmed that with the craftsman but feel good that he will agree. My intentions with any extra donations are to pay the master craftsman since it will be part of his profit (or maybe more accurately, recovery of R&D expense) since I am NOT the one actually selling the finished part. In fact if for any reason the installation is too hard and not enough want them because of this... well... I can't say where that would leave us and I definitely DO NOT want anybody claiming that I misled them in ANY way. Once I spend the money on parts or payments I will not be able to refund anything if the project becomes too hard to complete. Trust me, I have been a header afficianado for longer than many on this board have been alive (since the mid 70s) and no body wants these more than I. I am doing everything I know to do to get these parts built. No excuses. No prisoners! Anyone wishing to contribute now knows the terms... help is appreciated.

 

Thank you for the response. I am sure all here are in agreement that we appreciate your efforts in this and look forward to the rewards.
Lee